Small plane crashes at Tampa International Airport

Pilot injured in crash

TAMPA, Fla. - A small plane crashed at Tampa International Airport Thursday night, injuring the pilot.

Tampa police say the single-engine plane was coming in for a landing when it crashed just inside the airport's fence about 11:48 p.m.

Police officers in a helicopter were on routine aerial patrol nearby when they heard the pilot's distress call and saw the plane crash. The pilot had reported an issue with his engine oil. The officers landed, extinguished a fire at the crash site, and pulled the unconscious pilot from the cockpit.

Police say the pilot was brought to the hospital with serious injuries, including facial fractures. He is in stable condition.

He pilot was the only person on board.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

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